6 minute read 
by Bethany Rees

Why Speaking Up Matters

On March 7, 1965, a day after the horrific events of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a speech that remains profoundly relevant today. In his call to action, Dr. King declared: 

“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right.” 

While this statement is often paraphrased as, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,” the message is clear: silence in the face of injustice is not an option. 

Whether in their families, churches, workplaces, or communities, we cannot afford to remain silent or inactive about things that truly matter.

But here’s the critical follow-up: when and how we speak up matters just as much as the act of speaking up itself. The words we choose, the tone we use, and the spirit in which we address others can either open doors or slam them shut. Speaking up is not just about having courage; but a matter of discernment from the Holy Spirit.

Discerning When to Speak Up 

Speaking up does not mean picking fights because someone disagrees with us or engaging in every controversy that crosses our path. Sadly, a common joke is that many a church have split over the color of the carpet.

In 2 Timothy Paul gave a lot of direction to his young protege concerning babbling and quarrels among people. In 2:16-17a Pauls says: 

“But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.”  

The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about how we speak and who we speak to. Proverbs 18:21 says: 

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Proverbs 18:2 reminds us that “clapping back” to every person voicing his opinion that doesn’t align with ours isn’t warranted either. 

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,  but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:2

These passages remind us that we do not have to engage on every matter, especially frivolous ones. The discernment for when and how to speak should always be driven by the Holy Spirit, not our own feelings in the moment. 

As I heard one pastor say “Prayer before opinion.” 

So when we do speak up about things the Holy Spirit calls to, the goal of speaking up is not necessarily to win arguments but to win hearts. True change only comes with a change of heart (via God)—not a well thought out debate argument (via us). For it’s our beliefs that spill into our thoughts, words, and actions. 

We are to be light bearers that draw people to Christ so He can change their hearts. As Paul  continues his warning to Timothy he says:

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:23-26

Kindness, patience, and gentleness are essential tools for addressing tough issues. When we communicate with these virtues, we leave room for God to work in the hearts of others. 

Speaking With Grace and Wisdom

The New Testament offers us timeless guidance on how to navigate speaking up in challenging situations. In the Greco-Roman world, early Christians were immersed in a culture of moral decay and faced severe persecution for their countercultural values. In the midst of this, Paul’s letters to the early church provided encouragement and instruction for how to live righteously and speak wisely.

In Colossians 4:5-6, Paul writes:

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

This advice is a masterclass in effective communication. To walk in wisdom means to approach situations thoughtfully, considering the perspectives and needs of others. Speech that is gracious and “seasoned with salt” strikes the balance between kindness and truth. It is not bland or watered down, but neither is it harsh or cutting. Salt enhances flavor; in the same way, our words should enhance understanding and invite others to engage.

The Call to Speak Up

Whether it’s addressing an injustice in your community, having a hard conversation with a family member, or standing firm in your faith in a challenging environment, we are called to speak up. 

But how we speak up—with wisdom, grace, and gentleness—can make all the difference.

Dr. King’s words remind us of the cost of silence, while Paul’s writings provide a blueprint for how to speak up in a way that honors God and invites others to truth. So let’s step forward with courage and speak up about things that matter—not with quarrels or condemnation but with words that are gracious, seasoned with salt, and rooted in love.

Know Better. Do Better. Live Better. Speak Up but with Salt.

Rocks before Sand!

Scripture: 

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” ~ Colossians 4:5-6 

Theme Song: 

Season Your Words - acapella hymn with lyrics

References Used: 

• The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
• It’s actually not a quote Dr. King said but more of a paraphrase from a sermon he gave the day after Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama on March 8, 1965. Speech script here: https://faculty.etsu.edu/history/documents/mlkselma.htm.